You've booked the cruise, you've picked your excursions, and you're dreaming of that first day at sea. But then, a question pops into your head that sends a shiver of anxiety down your spine: "Wait, how do tips work on a cruise?"
If you're confused about Royal Caribbean's gratuities, you are not alone. It's easily one of the most misunderstood parts of the cruise experience. Are they mandatory? Who do they go to? Can I adjust them?
Let's clear the air once and for all. This is your ultimate guide to understanding exactly how Royal Caribbean gratuities work, what they cost, and how to handle them like a seasoned pro.
What Are Royal Caribbean's Automatic Gratuities?
Think of automatic gratuities as the standard, built-in way to thank the hundreds of crew members who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make your vacation incredible. This isn't just about your stateroom attendant or your dinner waiter; it's about the laundry staff, the cooks, the cleaners, and so many others you never see.
Royal Caribbean automatically adds a set daily gratuity amount to your onboard account (your SeaPass card) for each guest in your stateroom. This is the simplest and most common way tips are handled.
How Much Are the Daily Gratuities? (2025 Rates)
As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the standard daily gratuity rates are:
* $18.00 USD per person, per day for standard staterooms (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony).
* $20.50 USD per person, per day for guests staying in Suites.
So, for a family of four in a balcony cabin on a 7-night cruise, you can expect a total gratuity charge of $504 ($18 x 4 people x 7 nights).
Two Ways to Pay: Pre-Paid vs. Post-Cruise
You have a choice of when to handle this charge, and one option is clearly better than the other.
* Pre-Paying Your Gratuities (The Recommended Method): When you book your cruise, your travel agent or the Royal Caribbean website will give you the option to pre-pay your gratuities. I highly recommend you do this. It rolls the cost into your total cruise fare, so you board the ship with a zero balance. It helps you budget more effectively and completely removes the thought of tips from your vacation mindset.
* Paying Onboard (Automatic Billing): If you don't pre-pay, the daily amount will be automatically charged to your SeaPass account each day of the cruise. You'll see it on your running bill and will settle the total balance at the end of your voyage.
Can You Remove or Adjust the Automatic Gratuities?
This is the million-dollar question. Yes, technically, you can. You can go to Guest Services while on the ship and request to have the automatic gratuities adjusted or removed entirely.
However, I strongly advise against this.
Doing so means that the large team of service staff who are allocated a portion of that tip pool will not be compensated for their work. If you have a specific service issue with a particular crew member, the proper procedure is to speak to Guest Services so they can address the problem directly. Removing the gratuity punishes hundreds of people for the actions of one.
What About Extra Tipping? Should You Bring Cash?
While the automatic gratuities cover the majority of the service crew, many experienced cruisers (myself included) bring extra cash for a few specific situations to reward exceptional, personal service.
* Your Stateroom Attendant: These individuals are miracle workers. An extra $20-$50 cash tip at the end of the cruise for consistently excellent service is a wonderful gesture.
* Your Main Dining Room Waitstaff: If you have the same waiters each night and they learn your preferences and provide an amazing experience, a cash tip at the end is very much appreciated.
* Room Service: The person who brings your morning coffee or late-night snack receives no part of the automatic gratuity pool. A small cash tip of $2-$5 is customary and appropriate.
* Favorite Bartenders: If you frequent a specific bar and have a bartender who takes great care of you, a cash tip is a great way to say thanks.
* Luggage Porters at the Terminal: The porters who take your bags when you first arrive are not Royal Caribbean employees. Tipping them $2 per bag is standard practice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are gratuities included in the Drink Package?
Yes! When you buy a beverage package, a separate 18% gratuity is added to the total cost of the package itself. You do not need to tip extra for each drink you order.
Do kids have to pay gratuities?
Yes. The daily gratuity rate applies to all guests, regardless of age, including infants.
Do I have to tip for specialty dining?
An 18% gratuity is automatically included when you pay the cover charge for a specialty restaurant. You are not required to tip more, but you can if the service was outstanding.
Final Thoughts
Cruise gratuities can seem complicated, but they are simply a streamlined system for rewarding the hundreds of dedicated crew members who make your vacation special. My best advice is to pre-pay your automatic gratuities to get it out of the way, and then bring a small amount of cash to personally thank the crew members who go above and beyond to make your cruise an unforgettable experience.
Comments
Post a Comment